Lather applicators

ABSTRACT

An applicator is provided whose broad circular spreading surface is hinged to rotate from a closed perpendicular position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container, through successive operable oblique positions, to a parallel position, thereby exposing a valve actuating mechanism whose discharge passage conducts the lather via the hinge to the spreading surface; a portion of the discharge passage to contain an expansion chamber; a portion of the discharge passage adaptable for the housing of a heat transfer device.

United States Patent [191.

Pass

[111 3,804,537 1451 Apr. 16, 1974 LATHER APPLICATORS [76] Inventor: Roger D. Pass, 1119 W. Montana Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55108 [22] Filed: Jan. 25, 1971 211 App]. No.: 109,186

[52] US. Cl. 401/190, 401/2 [51] Int. Cl A47k 5/09 [58] Field of Search 401/190 [56] References Cited v UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,388,958 6/1968 Modla .1 40l/2 2,913,749 11/1959 Ayres....:...

3,137,885 -6/196 4 Holsh. 401/190 3,387,911 6/1968 Focht 401/190 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles 57 ABSTRACT An applicator is provided whose broad circular spreading surface is hinged to rotate from a closed perpendicular position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container, through successive operable oblique positions, to a parallel position, thereby exposing a valve actuating mechanism whose discharge passage conducts the lather via the hinge to the spreading surface; a portion of the discharge passage to contain an expansion chamber; a portion of the discharge passage adaptable for the housing of a heat transferdevice.

2 Claims, 31 Drawing Figures DATENTEHAPR l6 i974 3 045 7 sum 1 or 4 FIG. 2

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PATENTEDAPR 16 I974 SHEEI 2 0F 4 FIG. 15

l-ATENTEDAPR 16 m4 $804,537 sum-3 or 4 FIG. 21

FIGZZ F1624 PATENTEDAPR 1 1914 11804.53!

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FIG. 31

1 LATIIER APPLICATORS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS See filed patent application by Roger D. Pass, Ap-

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION flow of lather through an orifice with means of actuating the valve, an applicator for the spreading of lather on the face or other parts of the body adaptable for attachment to the aerosol container. For prior applicator art refer to the above heading Cross-References to Related Applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Improved applicators, for the spreading of shave lather on the face, are provided whose spreading surface is a moveable component of the applicator either pivotally, slidably'or detachably mounted on a valve actuating component, or retractably mounted within a cylindrical collar. Applicators are provided that are adaptable for the housing of heat transfer devices such as one consisting of broad spaced apart perforated aluminum plates stacked within an oval-shaped expansion chamber. Spreading surfaces parallel to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container are provided to facilitate the ease and convenience of spreading lather on the face. Improved deflection plugs having longitudinal grooves for the' transfer of lather are also provided which can be easily inserted adjacent to the spreading surface in the orifice of the discharge passage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a crosssectional view showing a valve actuating component of an applicator.

FIGLZ is a top view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view of an applicator showing a valve actuatingcomponent incombination with a spreader component housing a heat transfer device.

' IG. 4 is a top view of the valve actuating component in FIG. 3. I

FIG. 5 is atop view of the spreader component in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a spreader component of an applicator.

FIG. 7 is atop view of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of an applicator incorporating a heat transfer device, a heat insulating protection plate and a foam stop device.

FIG. 9 is abottom view of one plate of the heat transfer device in FIG. 8.

.FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the foam stop device in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a top view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is across sectional view of an applicator.

FIG. 13 is a side view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a front view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of an applicator showing a spreader component in combination with a valve actuating component.

FIG. 17 is a side view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a front view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the .valve actuating component in FIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a top view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional view of an applicator showing a spreader component in combination with a valve actuating component.

FIG. 22 is a top view of the valve actuating component in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the spreader component in FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a top view of the spreader component in FIG. 21. a

FIG. 25 is a side view of an applicator.

FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a front view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a top view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a cross sectional view of an applicator showing a spreader component in combination with a cylindrical collar and a deflection plug.

FIG. 30 is a top view of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a bottom view of the deflection plug in FIG. 29.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS natural andcomfortableenhancingarm, hand and face positions while maintaining the aerosol container in an upright vertical position. Conventional lowcost aerosol valve arrangements can now be used with certainty to prevent unwanted gas pressure discharges. This is in contrast to the higher cost aerosol containers which contain collapsable bags which would eliminate gas pressure discharges in any position that the aerosol container was actuated. The closed perpendicular position of the spreading makes the valve actuating mechanism inaccessible thereby effecting a simple locking means. i

FIGS. 1 and 2 show av valve actuating component having exterior sidewalls 1 terminating in aflan ge 2 which grips the top edge of an aerosol container. A partially floating pressing plate 3 shoulders on an aerosol valve stem in the passage 4 which conducts the lather to the socket 5. Finger indents 6 and 7 allow for extremely easy right or left handed operation of the partially floating pressing plate 3. FIG. 3 shows a valve actuating component in closed combination with 'a spreader component housing a heat transfer device. FIGS. 4 and 5 show each component respectively. The

valve actuating component has exterior sidewalls 8 terminating in a flange 9 which grips the top edge of an aerosol container. Finger indents 18 and 19 allow easy right or left handed access to a pressing plate 10 which is sufficiently flexible so as to yield under finger pressure to provide motion to operate an aerosol valve the stem of which is shouldered in the passage 11. To operate, the spreader component is pivoted to an operable upright position thereby providing access to the pressing plate 10. Finger pressure on it causes ejection of lather which is conducted by the passage 11 to the ball and socket joint 12, to the heat transfer device by the passage 13 and to the spreading surface 17 from the orifice 20. Longitudinal ridges 14 help prevent the spreader component from moving too freely and also serve to indicate the closed and various operable positions.

The heat transfer device shown consists of a coiled aluminum strip 15 held inside the expansion chamber 21 by the disk 16. The aluminum strip 15 is heated by pouring hot water over the spreader component. The heat transfer device shown is merely indicative as there are many different types of heat transfer devices which could be used.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a spreader component having a ball 24 designed to pivot within a socket such as the one shown in FIG. 1. A passage 25 merges gradually into an expansion chamber 23 and conducts the lather to thespreading surface 22.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 show an applicator having a spill stop ridge 42 surrounding a spreading surface 32 which surrounds an expansion chamber 33 adapted to house a heat transfer device, which surrounds a passage adapted for threading the applicator on a tilt type aerosol valve stem 31.

The heat transfer device consists of broad flat perforated aluminum plates 34 stacked within the expansion chamber 33. Slight deformations 35 on the aluminum plates 34 space them apart for water and lather pas sage. A plastic heat insulating protection plate 36 press fitted into the expansion chamber-33 protects the skin from the heat of the heattransfer device, serves to deflect the lather between the aluminum plates 34 and helps retain the aluminum plates 34 within the expansion chamber 33. The aluminum plates 34 are heated directly by running hot water into the open oval end sections of the expansion chamber 33 which allow for a reasonable flow of water over the aluminum plates 34. After heating,'excess water can be shaken off. It is also possible to leave a small amount of water in the expansion chamber 33 if the user wanted a wetter shave. It should be understood that the expansion chamber 33 can be adapted to house many different types of heat transfer devices.'-

The spill stop ridge 42 has been added to hinder the lather from flowing down the sides of the applicator. A foam stop device has been inserted in the orifice of the valve stem 31 to prevent the prolonged foaming action of the lather after the aerosol valve has been actuated. It consists of a blockage plate 39 and two prongs 40. To install, the prongs are inserted into the orifice of the valve stein 31. When the applicator is screwed all the way down upon the aerosol container, the foam stop device will be correctly seated with the blockage plate 39 pressed tightly against and blocking the orifice 41. The foam stop device could be contructed in different ways such as a shaft in place of the prongs 40 and having longitudinal grooves or a passage for lather transfer. When the base of the applicator is not resting firmly on the top of the aerosol container, the aerosol valve can be actuated by finger pressure on the side of the applicator. Lather is then ejected, builds up in the chamber formed by the perforations in the aluminum plates 34, into the open oval end sections of the expansion chamber 33 and onto the spreading surface 32.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14 and 15 show an applicator whose lather spreading surface 46 is in a fixed parallel position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container. This allows the user to simultaneously operate theapplicator and spread lather on his face using natural and comfortable enhancing arm, hand and face positions while maintaining the aerosol container in an upright vertical position. The spreading surface 46 surrounds an expansion chamber 47 adaptable for housing a heat transfer device such as the one described in connection with FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11. Exterior sidewalls 45 terminate in a flange 50 which grips the top edge of an aerosol container. Finger indent 51 allows easy right or left handed access to a partially floating pressing plate 48 which conducts the lather to the expansion chamber FIGS. 16, 17, 1s, 19 and 20 Show different views and embodiments of an applicator whose lather spreading surface is a moveable mounted component of the applicator capable, for the convenience of the user, of being detachable from the valve actuating component.

This arrangement results in several significant advantegous. When the spreader component is in an operable coactive position with the valve actuating component the lather spreading surface is in a fixed parallel position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container. The user can now simultaneously operate the applicator and spread lather on his face using natural and comfortable enhancing arm, hand and face positions while maintaining the aerosol container in an upright vertical position. However, at the discretion of the user, the spreader component can be easily detached and the lather can be dispensed into the palm of the hand independently of the spreader component in the current conventional manner byvthe valve actuating component. This construction also produces a water resistant fit between the spreader component and the valve actuating component.

The valve actuating component shown consists of exterior sidewalls 55 terminating in a flange 56'which grips the valve housing flange of an aerosol container. A partially floating pressing plate 57 shoulders on an aerosol valve stem in the passage 58 which conducts the lather through the spout 62 to the orifice 59.

The spreader component consists of exterior sidewalls 60 terminating in a flange 61 which grips the top edge of an aerosol container. The spreading surface 63 merges gradually into the expansion chamber 64 which surrounds the passage 65 and is part of the deflection plate 66. The back inside of the passage 65 is designed to be attachable to the spout 62 of the valve actuating component. Finger indent 67 allows easy right or left handed finger access to the partially floating pressing plate 57.

It should be understood that the position of the spreading surface 63 of the spreader component could be slightly oblique to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container. The expansion chamber 64 could also be actuating component has exterior sidewalls 70 terminating in a flange 71 which grips the top edge of an aerosol container. Finger indent 72 allows easy right or left handed access to a partially floating pressing plate 73 which shoulders on an aerosol valve stem in the passage 74 which conducts the lather to the orifice 75. Slide tracks 76 are designed to mate with corresponding slide tracks 76' of the spreader component.

To operate, finger pressure is applied to the partially floating pressing plate 73 which causes lather to be ejected from the orifice 75, into the expansion chamber 77 and onto the spreading surface 78. To close, the spreader component is simply slid into line with the valve actuating component thereby effecting a simple locking means. a i

It should be understood that the position of the lather spreading surface 78 of the spreader component could be perpendicular, oblique or even parallel to the longitudinal axis. of the aerosol container. The expansion chamber 77 could also be readily adapted for the housing of a heat transfer device such asthe one shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 25, 26,27 and 28 show various views of an applicator whose latherspreading surface is in a fixed parallel position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container. The fixed parallel position of the spreading surface allows the user to simultaneously operate the applicator and spread lather on his face using natural and comfortable enhancing arm, hand and face positions while maintaining the aerosol container in an upright vertical position. The spreading surface 80 surrounds an expansion chamber 81 which could be adaptable 'for housing a heat transfer device. Sidewalls 82 are designed to grip the top edge of an aerosol container. Finger indent 83 allows easy right or left handed access to a partially floating pressing plate 84 which shoulders on an aerosol valve stemin the passage 85 which conducts the lather to the expansion chamber'81.

It should be understood that afree floating pressing plate could be used instead of the partially floating pressing plate 84 shown. Interior sidewalls which grip the valve housing flange would provide a convenient chamber in which the free floating pressing plate would slide and activate the aerosol valve. A passage in the free floating pressing plate would coact with the passage in the applicator to conduct lather to the spreading surface.

FIGS. 29, 30 and 31 show views and embodiments of an applicator whose lather spreading surface is a moveably mounted component of the applicator capable of being retracted in relation to a cylindrical collar, thereby forming an expandable expansion chamber the depth of which can be varied so that the user has a way of metering the amount of lather he needs or desires to put on his face.

The spreader component shown retracts rotably by threads 91 which mate with corresponding threads 91' of the cylindrical collar. The spreader component could also be designed to retract slidably within the cylindrical collar by simply eliminating the corresponding threads 91 and 91'. The spreader component has a spreading surface 90 surrounding a passage 93 which extends downward and is attachable to a tilt type valve stem of an aerosol container. This attachmentshould be such that the spreader component will not rotate on or pull off of the stern of the tilt type valve. A press fit would accomplish this.

When the cylindrical collar is screwed down around the spreader component, so that the top of it is flush with the top of the spreading surface 90, the bottom of it is seated upon the top endwall of an aerosol container thereby preventing the applicator from tilting and actuating the tilt type aerosol valve. Tooperate, the cylindrical collar is screwed up. The further it is screwed up the larger the expandable expansion chamber 94 becomes. The tilt type aerosol valve can now be actuated I by tilting the applicator to one side. The lather then flows up the passage 93, past the deflection plug which deflects the lather onto the spreading surface and into the expandable expansion chamber 94. For best results, the lather is allowed to rise to the top of the expandable expansion chamber 94. The cylindrical collar is then screwed down upon the top endwall of the aerosol container locking the applicator. This leaves a very neat column of lather upon the spreading surface 90 which is ready to be spread on the face. Markings can be placed either on the inside or the outside of the cylindrical collar so that the user can consistently meter the exact amount of lather he needs or desires to put on his face. 7

The deflection plug is simply press fitted into the pas sage 93so that it lies flush with the spreading surface 90. Longitudinal grooves 95 on the'shaft of the deflection plug beneath the deflection plate 92 and projections 96 are to insure adequate spacing for the transfer of lather between the sides of the passage 93 and the sides of the deflection plug. It should be understood that the passage 93 could be adapted to house a heat transfer device such as the one shown in FIG. 8.

Itshould be understood that the expansion chambers shown are very specialized areas of the (discharge) passage. Besides providing anarea in which the lather can expand controllably they also provide a reservoir where the lather .can accumulate in quantity before being applied to the face. Thus, the expansion chambers can take many different forms from depressed area to a multiplicity of openings in the spreading surface and still function properly. a

It should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, as these are intended to be illustrative of the invention. It also should be noted that some advantages may be gained by using particular embodiments of the disclosed ideas and/or prior art in combinations not shown with each other. Undue multiplicity would result from trying to show every possible combination.

I claim: 1 r

1. In a lather applicator, acting in cooperation with an aerosol container having an aerosol valve for dispensing lather, comprising:

a valve actuating component, incorporating in part,

means for attaching said applicator to said aerosol pivotally mounted on said valve actuating component and is capable of being pivoted from an operable position wherein the plane of said spreading surface is substantially in a parallel position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container, through several successive operable oblique positions, to an inoperable substantially perpendicular position wherein said spreader component is so situated in relation to said valve actuating component as to make said means for actuating said aerosol valve inaccessible.

2. In claim 1 a portion of said passage adapted for and housing a heat transfer device. 

1. In a lather applicator, acting in cooperation with an aerosol container having an aerosol valve for dispensing lather, comprising: a valve actuating component, incorporating in part, means for attaching said applicator to said aerosol container and means for actuating said aerosol valve; a means for spreading said lather on the face or other parts of the body consisting of a broad spreading surface incorporated as part of a spreader component, said spreader component being a moveable component of the applicator; a means for conducting said lather from said aerosol valve to said spreading surface being a passage having an expansion chamber adjacent to said spreading surface; a means for preventing accidental actuation of said valve actuating means; an improvement wherein said spreader component is pivotally mounted on said valve actuating component and is capable of being pivoted from an operable position wherein the plane of said spreading surface is substantially in a parallel position to the longitudinal axis of the aerosol container, through several successive operable oblique positions, to an inoperable substantially perpendicular position wherein said spreader component is so situated in relation to said valve actuating component as to make said means for actuating said aerosol valve inaccessible.
 2. In claim 1 a portion of said passage adapted for and housing a heat transfer device. 